Ten Colombian Departmental Capitals in Order of Founding, from Santa Marta to Yopal

Santa Marta was founded on July 29, 1525 by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, which makes it the oldest surviving city in Colombia and the second oldest in South America. Simon Bolivar died there in 1830, and the 2018 census counted about 566,150 residents in the city and district.

Sincelejo, capital of Sucre Department, is recorded as founded in 1535 and is the hub of the Sabanas subregion, about 30 kilometers from the Gulf of Morrosquillo. The 2023 census recorded about 310,456 residents, and the city is known for the Fiestas del Dulce Nombre de Jesus held every January 20.

Pasto was founded in 1537 and relocated in 1539, taking its name from the indigenous people of the area. It lies at 2,527 meters at the foot of the Galeras volcano and is known for the Carnival of Blacks and Whites each January 2 to 7 and for Barniz de Pasto varnishing.

Tunja was founded on August 6, 1539 by Captain Gonzalo Suarez Rendon on the site of Hunza, a Muisca settlement conquered two years earlier. At 2,820 meters and about 130 kilometers northeast of Bogotá, it keeps some of the best preserved Muisca architecture, including the Hunzahua Well.

Neiva was first established in 1539 and relocated twice before reaching its present site in 1612 under Diego de Ospina y Medinilla. It stands in the Magdalena River valley at 442 meters, serves as a distribution center for rice, coffee and beef, and is known as the Bambuco capital.

Valledupar was founded on January 6, 1550 by Hernando de Santana and named for the indigenous cacique Upar. It lies at 168 meters between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serrania del Perija, and is regarded as the cradle of vallenato music, celebrated at the Vallenato Legend Festival each April.

Ibagué was founded on October 14, 1550 by the Spanish captain Andrés López de Galarza, the same year as Valledupar. It sits on the central range of the Andes near the Nevado del Tolima, hosts the government of Tolima Department, and the 2025 census counted 544,132 people in the municipality.

Villavicencio was founded on April 6, 1840, nearly three centuries after the first cities on this path. About 75 kilometers southeast of Bogotá at the foot of the Andes, it is nicknamed the Gateway to the Plains and was recorded at 585,858 residents in the 2018 census.

Manizales was founded on October 12, 1849 and sits at 2,160 meters on the Central Mountain Range near the Nevado del Ruiz volcano. It anchors the northern end of the Colombian Coffee Growers Axis and is an important university center.

Yopal, capital of Casanare Department, is recorded as founded in 1915, the youngest city on this path. The area was home to the indigenous Achagua, the name comes from the yopo trees, and the 2024 municipal population of 194,079 makes it the second largest city of the Orinoquía after Villavicencio.